S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kazakhstan next month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided not to attend. The Indian side had previously confirmed PM Modi’s visit to Astana for the SCO Summit on July 3-4, but his preoccupation with the ongoing session of Parliament and strained relations with China are believed to be among the factors influencing his decision. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar will now head the Indian delegation, as conveyed by the Ministry of External Affairs.The decision was reportedly communicated to Kazakhstan after PM Modi received a call from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, where they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral relations. With Modi’s absence, Jaishankar will have the opportunity to engage with leaders from other member states of the SCO, including China, Russia, and Pakistan. India has been actively participating in the SCO since 2014, with PM Modi attending multiple summits prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, India hosted a virtual SCO Summit due to travel constraints faced by some participating leaders. The SCO serves as a platform for member states to address regional security concerns, combat terrorism, and promote economic development, with a focus on Eurasian cooperation. Stay tuned for further updates on India’s participation in the upcoming SCO Summit on HeadlineFly.com.
